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Alumnus Pledges $2 million Toward Fine Arts

The renovation of Armstrong and Alumni halls received a boost from Jim McWethy 65, who pledged $2 million toward the fine arts project if the college matches the gift 2-to-1 by Dec. 31, 2000. Fund raising for the $4 million balance is under way.

Im committed to Cornell and to the liberal arts, and the arts are part of a liberal arts education. This is about making Cornell a college of choice. The fine arts is a critical part of that package, said McWethy, an independent businessman in Downers Grove, Ill.

The $12.7 million fine arts project includes $8.9 million to revitalize Armstrong for the music and theater departments and $3.8 million to convert Alumni for the art department. In addition to McWethys pledge, the project has received $6.5 million in grants, pledges, and estate gifts.